Governor Brown Issues Proclamation Declaring Work Zone Awareness Week

Published: May 09, 2012

PROCLAMATIONBY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) employs a highly skilled and dedicated workforce with a challenging and often dangerous mission. These are the workers who keep California moving. It is fitting that we honor them for the risks they take and the sacrifices they have made on our behalf.

In 1999, Caltrans launched the Slow for the Cone Zone public awareness campaign. Since then, California has led the nation in reducing highway work zone fatalities. The state’s “Move Over” law requires drivers to slow down or move over a lane, if safe to do so, when a Caltrans vehicle displays its flashing amber lights.

Today, California honors all highway workers who have lost their lives while keeping California’s transportation system safe, and especially Caltrans Landscape Maintenance Worker Stephen Palmer Sr. who died from injuries after being struck by a trolley in National City, near San Diego; Maintenance Leadworker Jaime Obeso who was killed by an errant vehicle while working on eastbound Interstate 8 near the Sunbeam Rest Area in Imperial County; and Equipment Operator II Richard Gonzalez who was killed by a vehicle while working on a litter crew on Interstate 15 in San Diego County.

NOW THEREFORE I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim May 7-11 2012, as “Work Zone Awareness Week.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 8th day of May 2012.